Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-02-19
WAS IT MURDER {!
Atlanta Consultation.

Atlanta Constitution.
Was it murderY
A group Of officers stood in an Atlanta
book store one sultry afternoon in "a,
discussing the execution Of a batch Of
deserters. II was Just before the siege
Sherman was on the other side OF the
ChattAhoOchee, and as the officers talked
the sullen boom of cannon every now
and then interrupted their conversation.
But was it murder?
This question was uppermost IN my
mind as 1 listened horror stricken to the
running talk around me- 1t had been
remarked that one Of the deserters who
had been shot an hour before was a
youth Of 16.
Al felt rather sorry for the boy" said
the captain.
"Oh, its all right, observed the ma
or.
discipline must be maintained at any
cost" put in the general.
eyes, Of course" assented the captain.
Beyond a doubt" was the majors
comment"
Besides, said the general, she was no
longer boy He was a soldier, and
when he deserted he knew the conse-
quences."
"Just so,' echoed the others, simulta-
neOusly, but their faces wore a cloudy
look.
The general picked up Jomili's "Art
Of War" and spoke Of it as a greatly
Overrated book
.'What is the price Of h?" he in
CURED
Fifteen dollars" replied the book
seller.
''You see, gentlemen" said the gen
eral, show these cOrmOrants take advan-
tage Of our misfortunes. Fifteen dol
lars for book worth so cents"
The military men all stared at the
bookseller, who wisely said nothing.
ayes" said the captain, apparently
resuming his talk 81 was never so af-
fected in my life as I was when saw
that little fellow shot"
Gid ne tinch?'' asked the major.
"Not a bit. He was very pale, and
his eyes had that faraway look peculiar
to men who are looking death in the
face. He stood it like a hero, never
trembled, and had his wits about him to
the last"
'rDied instantly, didn't hep said the
general.
eyes. Four balls through the heart"
$50 much the better. He did not suf-
fer" and the general picked up ''AIahan
on Field Fortifcations"
Il heard that the boy belonged to a
good family" said the major. "Hs ran
away from home and Joined the army,
aud fought bravely. His desertion was
more Of a little escapade than anything
else"
at Sherman was not pressing us so in
formally hard, " interrupted the captain,
she would ave been let on, but the
court martial Just rushed through and
there was nobody to look after the boy"
Booml BOcml Numbered the cannon
over the hills at the front
"Why should anybody look after
him2' interposed the general. ave
must look after the army and its discip-
line"
BOoml
"The fact isl continued the general,
matters have reached a point where we
must make an example Of every man who
fails TO do his duty"
81 admiLit," replied the captain, ''but
il makes my blood run cold to slaughter
mere boys"
The general tucked Jomini's cart of
War" in his pocket and paid for it. Then
he turned around and cleared his throat
''Now listen tome he said impressive
ly. "You certainly VIII give me credit
for the average amount Of kindness, sym
patty and humane feeling. Yet 1 can
not agree with you about that deserter. /
According to all accounts he was a sen
able lad He knew his duty as a sol !
der. He knew that If he deserted he |
would be shot What did he dor |
When the enemy was marching on /
threatening this very city, endangering |
the existence Of the cOnfederacy, he /
saeaked of to the woods. Some say he /
was going to see his mother. 1t does /
not matter. He was deserter. If
spared him others would have to be /
spared The army would be demOraliz- !
ed. Deserhon would be the order Of the 1
day. We had to shoot him as an exam
pie. 1t could not be avoided. Now, let |
us drop the subject. I know that am /
right, and / should like to see any one
stand up and say that am wrong"
Booml BoOml
The wave OF thundrous sound rolled /
over the whole city, and people stopped
to listen.
Just then a light wagon covered with
dust and evidently from the country
stopped in front Of the store. Two women
alighted and came in One was quite
young, and the other, who was old
enough to be her mother, leaned on her
arm.
Shave you an evening paperG" the
young woman asked the bookseller.
He handed one to her and the old wo-
man, arranging her Fpeetaolss glanced
nery0usly over it